Harding: "I Plan on Being 100 Percent"

By
KBJR News 1

June 25, 2013Updated Jun 25, 2013 at 10:19 PM CDT

Cloquet, MN (NNCNOW.com) --- Minnesota Wild goaltender Josh Harding said on Tuesday that he plans on being 100 percent come this fall and the opening of training camp, that despite continuing a battle with multiple sclerosis.

Harding played just three games in the regular season after being diagnosed just before the year began, but he then started all five of the Wild's postseason games after Niklas Backstrom was injured.

Minnesota and Backstrom agreed to terms on Monday on a new, three-year contract, something that Harding believes will help the team in the long run.

"You need two guys to have us be able to push each other," Harding said. "With Backs, he's a true professional. Those are the two words I always say when he comes to Backs. He brings it every day, whether it be practice or a game. I look up to him, and I definitely love being in a tandem with him."

Harding was in the Northland as part of the 2013 Minnesota Wild summer road tour, which made stops on Tuesday in Two Harbors, Minn. and Cloquet, Minn.